Effects of the Booroola gene FecBB on somatic and germ cells of the fetal testis.
The present study was conducted to compare in homozygous FecBBFecBB(BB) Booroola and ++ male fetuses, the body and the testicular growths and the tissular and cellular compositions of the testis between 60 and 140 days of gestation. To eliminate differences in growth due to uterine environment, single embryos have been transferred in recipient Mérinos d' Arles ewes. At 60 and 100 days of gestation, the body masses of BB fetuses were significantly lower than those of ++ foetuses (11 and 13%; P = 0.05); but their testis masses of their total contents of somatic (Leydig or Sertoli) cells did not differ significantly whatever the fetal age. At 100 and 140 days of gestation, testis and body masses were significantly correlated without difference between BB and ++ genotypes. In conclusion, the presence or absence of homozygous gene FecBB does not induce significant differences in somatic or germ cell composition of the testis between 60 and 140 days of gestation.
Hochereau-de Reviers
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MT
Physiologie de la reproduction des mammifères domestiques, Centre Inra de Tours, Nouzilly, France. mtrevier@tours.inra.fr
Perreau
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C
Cognié
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006720:Homozygote; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology; D012756:Sheep / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*